C/G Myers Speaks With Houston’s Media

The newly acquired offensive lineman, Chris Myers, spoke with various members of the Houston media this week about his career and future with the Texans. Myers played college football at the University of Miami and then was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round in 2005. For Denver, Myers learned Alex Gibbs’ installed zone blocking system, and he had one year of experience with Denver’s offensive coordinator at the time, Gary Kubiak. Last season, Myers started at guard early in the season and moved to starting center after Tom Nalen was placed on the injured reserve. With experience in Kubiak’s and Gibbs’ system he is bound to find comfort in the Texans’ zone blocking system playing alongside his fellow “U” standout tackle, Eric Winston.

Myers was interviewed by Houston’s Sports Radio 610’s Marc and Andre on how he feels about leaving Denver for Houston. Myers said it is “kind of bittersweet.” Myers told the Morning Crew, “I love Denver, love the organization, love the team, and I had a great time there for three seasons. But I’m really anxious and excited to get going with the Texans. You know, we got a young team and everyone’s on the same path, the same goal right now. And that’s what kind of drew me down to Houston.”

The Houston Chronicle’s John “the General” McClain also spoke with Myers on why leaving Denver was “bittersweet.” Myers told McClain, “I kind of made my way up the ladder and finally got a starting position last year.” To Myers’ dismay in Denver, Broncos’ starting C Nalen will be healthy in 2008, leaving him out of a starting job there. But here in Houston, Myers will have the chance to earn his starting job for a young, athletic Texans’ offensive line.

Myers also spoke with 610 about his new contract. Before being traded to the Texans, Myers signed a four-year, $11 million contract with a $3 million signing bonus with the Broncos. He told 610, “to be honest, it hasn’t hit me yet. It’s definitely not full on my mind. Once I get down to Houston and start working out I’m sure it’s going to start hitting me then. It’s a dream come true. Every athlete looks forward to being a fulltime starter and getting that contract, and it’s amazing, I’m very grateful for it. It’s kind of like all the hard work is paying off.”

Myers also spoke with Marc and Andre about the tight end, transferred-tackle, he played opposite to at the “U.” At Miami, Myers played tackle opposite to Eric Winston. Myers said that Winston’s nickname was the “Neanderthal, because he looked exactly like that.” And it seems he’ll fit right in with the Texans chemistry as he said, “I look forward to cracking some jokes with the (Texans’) offensive linemen.”

On Myers’ comfort with Kubiak and Gibbs’ system and terminology from his experience in Denver, Myers told 610, “It’s pretty close, and obviously there’s going to be a few things that are going to be skewed. (And a) few terminologies that you got to learn, but for the most part it’s almost identical. (Gibbs) put that over in Denver, and he’s putting it in here and that was the one thing for them to look out my way just because I had that experience in Denver and that’s one of the reasons they closed (in on) me right away. I’m really anxious to get it going and we got a lot of athletes on this offensive line and we’re going to do some crazy things.”

On the other side, Head Coach Kubiak told the Houston Chronicle about Myers, “It’s an instant fit. He knows our system, and he knows our terminology. We know him, and we know what kind of player he is and what he stands for. He’s young, and he’s tough as nails.”

Texans fans are probably just as anxious to see the youth movement continue and see Myers’ get a shot at the starting job here in Houston as C Steve McKinney and C Chris White are coming off season ending injuries from 2007.